Fisherman's Friends was the original name of an English 10-strong male sing… Read Full Bio ↴Fisherman's Friends was the original name of an English 10-strong male singing group from Port Isaac, Cornwall. Singing sea shanties a cappella, they have been performing locally since 1995, and signed a record deal with Universal Music in March 2010 under the name Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends. At the 2011 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Fisherman's Friends received The Good Tradition Award for keeping folk music alive and bringing it to new audiences

The members are: John Brown, Julian Brown, Jeremy Brown (these first three being brothers), Trevor Grills (died 11 February 2013), John Lethbridge, Billy Hawkins, Nigel Sherratt, Peter Rowe, John McDonnell and Jon Cleave. At 78, Peter Rowe is the oldest member, as of June 2012. Jon Cleave is the MC of the group.

All the members of the group "grew up within half a mile of Port Isaac harbour" except for John McDonnell who is a Yorkshireman. Three are fishermen, and the others are linked to the sea through service as coastguards or lifeboatmen.

The group performed at the 2010 Cornbury music festival in Oxfordshire, the Glastonbury Festival and the Cambridge Folk Festival. The group had released two CDs themselves before signing with Universal; their first album with Universal, Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends, was recorded in St Kew Parish Church, Cornwall, and released in April 2010.

www.fishermansfriendsportisaac.co.uk

Oh You New York Girls
Fisherman's Friends Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As I walked down on Broadway
One evening in July
I met a maid, she asked me trade
A sailor boy am I

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?

I took her off to Tiffany's, I did not mind expense
I bought her two gold earrings and they cost me fifty cents

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?

She said 'belined you, sailor
Now walk me home you may'
But when we reached the cottage door
She turned to me to say

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?

I kissed her hard and proper
Before her flash man came
Now, fare you well, me Bowery girl
I know your little game

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?

I put me glad rags 'round me
And to the docks did steer
I'll never kiss another maid
I'll stick to rum and beer!

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?

I joined a Yankee blood-boat
Sailed away next morn
I'll never kiss another maid
I'm safer 'round Cape Horn

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
And away, Santee, my dear Annie

Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
Hey!

Overall Meaning

The Fisherman's Friends song, "Oh You New York Girls," tells the story of a sailor's encounter with a girl in New York City. The song starts with the singer, walking down Broadway one July evening, and meeting a girl who asks him to trade with her. The singer, who identifies himself as a sailor boy, takes her to Tiffany's and buys her two gold earrings, which only cost him fifty cents. The girl invites him to walk her home and once they get to her cottage door, she turns to him and says goodbye. The singer kisses her before her "flash man" comes and bids her farewell.

The song reflects the sailors' culture, their longing for home, and their love-hate relationship with women. The sailor sees New York girls as seductive and charming but also devious and manipulative. He vows to stick to rum and beer because he feels betrayed by the girl who he thought loved him. The use of the traditional sea shanty style of music highlights how the story is grounded in folklore and tradition, where sailors entertained themselves during long voyages.

The song's lyrics contain nautical language such as "glad rags" and "Yankee blood-boat," which add to the sea-faring context. The chorus, "Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?" speaks to the playful and lively nature of the girls in New York, and the sailor's inability to resist them. The repetition of the phrase, "And away, Santee, my dear Annie," adds to the song's rhythmic and pleasing quality, typical of shanties.

Line by Line Meaning

As I walked down on Broadway
I was strolling along the famous street called Broadway.

One evening in July
It was a warm evening in the middle of the summer month of July.

I met a maid, she asked me trade
I came across a young lady who wanted to have a conversation with me.

A sailor boy am I
I am a young man who works on a ship as a sailor.

And away, Santee, my dear Annie
This line is a chorus that is repeated throughout the song, and it does not have a distinct meaning.

Woah, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka?
This line is also a part of the chorus, and it is a playful question directed towards the women of New York City, wondering if they are good at dancing the polka.

I took her off to Tiffany's, I did not mind expense
I brought her to the famous jewelry store called Tiffany's, and I did not care about the cost.

I bought her two gold earrings and they cost me fifty cents
I purchased two pairs of earrings made of gold, and they only cost me fifty cents.

She said 'belined you, sailor
She called me out on my intentions or motives, suggesting that I was not sincere.

Now walk me home you may'
She invited me to walk her back to her place.

But when we reached the cottage door
We arrived at the doorstep of her residence.

She turned to me to say
She spoke to me before parting ways.

I kissed her hard and proper
I gave her a passionate and proper kiss.

Before her flash man came
Before her male companion or partner arrived.

Now, fare you well, me Bowery girl
Now I bid farewell to the young lady from the Bowery area of New York City.

I know your little game
I am aware of her true intentions or game.

I put me glad rags 'round me
I dressed up in my nicer clothing.

And to the docks did steer
I made my way towards the docks where ships are docked.

I'll never kiss another maid
I declare that I will never kiss another young lady.

I'll stick to rum and beer!
Instead, I will be spending my time drinking rum and beer.

I joined a Yankee blood-boat
I signed up to work on a ship that was made in America.

Sailed away next morn
I departed the next morning on the ship.

I'm safer 'round Cape Horn
I feel more secure working on the ship and navigating the difficult waters near Cape Horn than pursuing romantic relationships with women.

Hey!
This exclamation is a concluding statement and does not have a specific meaning.

Writer(s): Traditional, David Barrie Gilfillan

Contributed by Landon W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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